Tag! You're it!

 I was tagged by Scribblings of Wendy Jane!

I tag these three bloggers:

Family Scrapbooks and Coffee

Teenage Bride

Sondrae Bennett


1) Do you think you're hot?



There are times when I think I am awesome...and other times....the exact opposite!

2) Upload a picture or your current wallpaper.

Yes, this is NKOTB...taken on my camera in June 2009 when they toured!

3) When was the last time you ate chicken?



Last week, I think. We eat a lot of chicken...so it's weird that's it's been so long. I can;t even remember what i did with it.

4) What were you thinking about as you wrote this post?





I wish it was time to get the kids in bed.

5) What songs have you listened to lately?






Just listened to a song on Go Diego Go.

6) Do you have a nickname?

Nope. Never have.

My light bulb moments

I think most people have moments in their life where, like a light bulb, you suddenly see the light. Something wakes you up, snaps you out of whatever you were in.

I've had two light bulb moments that I can recall right now. I'm sure there've been more, but these two stick out, especially the first one.

When I was in college for Floriculture Merchandising, I knew I never wanted to run my own flower shop like my courses were preparing me for. But I did want to run my own business. I'd always had the plan to run a business that only specialized in wedding design. I wasn't real fond of the rest of the stuff that came along with being a floral designer: funerals, everyday birthdays and such. So after a few years working in a  flower shop as a designer, I did it. I went out on my own and I had built quite a reputation with solid referrals. It worked well for a while...until my daughter got older and I wasn't able to do the work during the day like I'd planned all along. And I started writing fiction...seriously with the intent of being published. My light bulb moment came one night around 10 pm when I was working in my design room with several hours of work yet to do. I was completely exhausted. And then my light bulb illuminated. Other nights I sat at my computer writing til 1-2 a.m. and had to force myself into bed cause I knew my daughter would be up in only 6-7 hours.

I realized I did not love my work anymore. And I needed to do something about it.

Light bulb moment number two came when my son was an infant. I apologize now if this is all too much information. I had breastfed my daughter exclusively to 6 months, then started supplementing with formula. At nine months, she gave it up completely. But there had never been a shortage of breast milk. My son, on the other hand, maybe he just ate too much, or maybe my body had changed, but the supply just was not there. I kept trying though, as excruciatingly painful as it was. Around his two month bday, my light bulb went off. My son was crying and I picked him up...but to hold him against my chest to comfort him, it hurt sooooooooooooooooo bad. I had to hand him off to my husband. That was it.....I stopped nursing him. It was just not worth it to keep doing it when I was in so much pain I couldn't even hold my baby. (And FYI, I did try to keep pumping but the supply had just diminished too much.)

So....have you had any light bulb moments??? What did you do about them?? Were you happier after??

Guest blogging @ Family, Scrapbooks, and Coffee!

Guest blogging today at the fab blog of my friend, and fellow Disney fan, Kristie Worrell!!! Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Happiness! Stop by and check it out!!

 Family, Scrapbooks, and Coffee

Do you find yourself apologizing?

Lyrical Press has published three of my books. The first, A Bitch Named Karma is a full-length romantic fiction story that was so well-received! I am so so excited for it's success!!! But my next two were what Lyrical calls "shorts". Paradise Cove released in April and Soap Dreams released just a few weeks ago.

Lyrical Press defines "shorts" as a story between 15,000 and 20,000 words. I think mine are around 50-55 pages long. It's a great length to read in an hour or so while on a flight, commuting, waiting at the doctor's office. It's a quick read that a reader can finish relatively fast. I wrote them with the intention of submitting to a romance magazine who's max was 10,000 words. When that didn't pan out, I bumped up the word count and submitted to my editor at Lyrical. She loved them. I loved them. I couldn't wait to share these little shorties with the world.

This is one thing about digital publishing that I adore...there is a place for novellas!

But they came out and I found myself apologizing. Many people asked if they could get them in paperback. To begin with, Lyrical is very selective on which titles go to print....I was lucky with A Bitch Named Karma. But regardless, the length of the shorts is just too....short. Lyrical will not consider a book for print unless it is a full-length novel with a minimum of 60,000 words. Both of my shorts fall real short.

So I end up apologizing to readers that they will not be able to get them in print. I don't know what else to say. They don't own eReaders and won't read on the computer (I don't blame them...it's not easy or fun.)

My Baby is AWESOME!

Every parent should think their kid is the best. Kids need to feel like they are the center of our worlds and know they are important to us. But there is such a thing as too much adoration...when you can't see their flaws. And everyone has flaws.

I have two points to this post...so let's first look at real babies.

I think parents should think their kid is the cutest, smartest, most amazing being on the planet. But what happens when they think their every move is golden and they can do no wrong? I'm sure we've all experienced a parent like this: their kid is never the one to start fights on the playground, or if something gets broken, it wasn't their kid that did it. What they end up with is a kid, and someday an adult, who has a superiority complex and a feeling of entitlement. They never learn to take responsibility for their mistakes and will probably blame them on others. They never learn to play nice.

Now let's look at writer's babies....our manuscripts.

Just like real babies, we adore our manuscripts. They are the most fantastic stories we've ever read. We should have love for our words. But also just like real babies, if we can't see the flaws, we're in for a heap of trouble. No manuscript is perfect...ever. We need to be able to hand it off and take the critique seriously. If you approach your writing career like those snobby moms I talked about above, you won't get very far in this business.

What inspires you? Tour stop #9!

Today I am guest blogging over at Nicole Zoltack's blog, Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight! Please stop by! And don't forget to comment...you'll be entered to win my Grand Prize!

Tour is winding down :(

Today is the first day in two weeks I didn't have anything scheduled. The blog tour has been FANTASTIC so far!! Thansk to everyone that has hosted me!! It's been so much better than I'd hoped!!!!

I do still have a few more dates coming up, but I decided to spread them out a bit, only 2-3 a week.

Hope everyone had a FAB weekend! Mine was super busy- dinner with friends, Hangover 2, Girls Night In, Father's day cookout!

It's all about romance for stop # 8!

Today I am guest blogging over at Ali Cross's awesome ninjaness! I'm talking about romance and how to convey it without getting all down and dirty!

Come check it out!!!

Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing!!!

Stop #7! Interview!!!!!

Today Sandra Sookoo, a fellow Lyrical Press author, who I interviewed last week (our latest books releases on the same day!) is interviewing me today!!!! Yay!! So exciting! this is stop # 7 on my blog tour!! Go check it out: Believing is Seeing!!

Stops # 5 & 6!! Interview and guest post!

Okay...so I screwed up yesterday...we'll just blame Blogger for this (their big screw up last month while I was scheduling this blog tour and then lost all the posts I had scheduled ahead of time). So...I though one was yesterday and one today, but apparently i am in two places today!! But, at least they are different...one an interview, one a guest post! :)

The 5th stop is a guest blogging spot on Talli Roland's fab blog!! Check it out and check her out while you're there!!!

I absolutely LOVE Katie's blog...she is so so hilarious...she really tells it how it is!!!! And she interviewed me for my 6th stop on my blog tour to celebrate the release of Soap Dreams!!! Come stop by!!! Creep Query Girl


And PS...while you're all reading my guest post and interview...guess where I'll be??? On my way to Pittsburgh to see NKOTBSB!!

(Pic is from the Buffalo show last month...our tailgating extravaganza! I'm third from the left!)

And here is one of the only decent shots I got during the show:

Have a fab day...I know I am!!!!

Oops! I screwed up!!!

Yikes!! I knew this was gonna happen at least once on this blog tour!!! I blame Blogger. I had it all set and then they went and screwed it all up by deleted a bunch of posts I had scheduled. I thought I was at Talli Roland's Blog today...but apparently, that's tomorrow! :)

Stop #4 on the Blog tour! An interview!!

The fabulous Susan Fields is interviewing me today!!! Stop by and check it out!!

Some prize rules...

A fellow RWA member forwarded some info on to our chapter...good stuff. So, I thought I should post some rules here for any contest I do!!

1) The winner of the any physical items must live in the US. My sincerest apologies. If there is a substitution, I will list it on the original contest page.

2) You must be 18 years or age or older to enter and by entering, you verify that you are at least 18 years or age.

3) If the prize is an ebook, the file you win is intended for your use only. Permission is only given for YOU to read these files. You do NOT have permission to forward them to friends or post to file sharing sites.

4) If the prize is an ebook, I will not substitute a tangible prize for you if you don't read ebooks.

5) I will post a winner on my blog and try to contact the winner through email (but if you have not left an email address in your entry, I can only do so much). If you do not claim the prize within 2 weeks, I will choose another winner.

6) I do not pay for insurance on prizes I ship. If you want, it let me know and we can arrange it.

Thanks so much!!

Guest blogging at the Fabulous Blog of Roni Loren!!

If you have been living under a rock, you might not know Roni Loren! She is fantastic!! And is hosting me today on her blog for stop #3 on my blog tour to celebrate the release of Soap Dreams!!!!! Please go check it out!!!!

How do you romance a romance author???

For stop #2 on my blog tour, I am guest blogging over at Girl Seeks Place!

How do you romance a romance author?????

Please go check it out!! And don't forget, every commenter will be entered for the grand prize!! Leave your email address!

Guest blogging at Unedited!

Yay!!!! Today is stop #1 on my first ever Blog Tour!!!

I am guest blogging over at Unedited!! Jen is so so awesome!!! Thanks for hosting me!!

Make sure you visit every stop and comment with your email address!! All commenters will be entered to win a fantabulous Grand Prize of a signed copy of A Bitch Named Karma, and digital copies of both Paradise Cove and Soap Dreams. (And there may be a couple other prize giveaways too!)

Romance Author Sandra Sookoo!

Today I have the fabulous Sandra Sookoo on my blog, a fellow Lyrical Press author! She is just awesome!!! Her new book just released yesterday!!!



Your newest release from Lyrical Press is Midsummer Night's Steve (love the title!). What's it about?

Well, this story centers around a newspaper reporter (Steve). We first came into contact with him in the third book--Five Leaf Clover. In that story, he pretty much made a jerk of himself, so in this book, he's returned to Crystal Falls to make amends--and to try to get that one "big" story that will make his career. Unfortunately, nothing goes his way and the girl he likes turns out to be the Tooth Fairy.

Here's the blurb:

She's not your grandma's Tooth Fairy.

Three months have passed since Steve Compton's last visit to Crystal Falls. Now he's back, but far from pleased about it. Convinced there is more in the air than clean living, he's a journalist on the hunt for a story that'll launch his career into the stratosphere.

Zoe Nickles loves the small-town atmosphere, the people, and most especially the great hiding places in Crystal Falls. She's heard rumors about the magical aura in the tiny town, and when her powers come to fruition one June night, she knows the whispers are true. She's the Tooth Fairy--with a sexy new look!

But there's a problem: a nosy reporter is on Zoe's trail, with just enough street smarts and cynicism to thwart her ability to practice her newfound skills. Can she convince him Cristal Falls is harmless before he tells the world about the town's"unique" quality, or will Steve blab the news, putting Zoe and all the paranormal residents at risk?

Sounds awesome! I need to read this series asap!

This is the fifth book in your Holiday Magic series, correct? Very cool! Why write a holiday series?

Why not? Lol The concept behind this series was the fact that any holiday is a special time and lends itself well to romance. I also wanted to put a little magic and mystery in with this series of shorts, so Crystal Falls was born--and nothing is ever as it seems.

I love that you try all different things with your writing!

Will there will be more?? Can you share any details with my readers?

After this book, I have one last story coming out in October called Tail on the Moon. In order to understand the dire circumstances in this book, you'd need to read Book #4 No Such Thing. The powers-that-be are changing in Crystal Falls and someone needs to step up and make sure good wins over evil.

In Tail on the Moon, it's a Halloween story and I had a great time writing that particular short.

Awesome! I noticed all the books in the series are what Lyrical calls a "Short", falling between 15,000 and 20,000 words. Do you like writing stories this length? Why?

I love writing stories of all lengths. I do shorts, novellas and full-length books. It all really depends on the story, how much plot I want to take on, if there will be sub-plots, extra characters, complicated story lines. Right now I've just come off writing back-to-back-to-back full length books so for the next few months, everything I create will be shorts. It gives my brain a rest and gives the reader a nice low price point.

Oh I so know what you mean! It is quite refreshing to work on something short after a long project!

As one of the lucky writers who gets to stay home and write all day, what is your favorite part of your job?

Yes, when I was laid off four years ago, I couldn't find a job in my industry so I got serious about writing. Is it a hardship having one income? You bet and it leads to creative finances, but I wouldn't trade the time it affords me for writing. My favorite part of my job? Continuing to learn the craft, make my stories better and receiving reader mail.

Love how you turned something unpleasant into something fantastic!

And one last question for fun! I know how big a fan you are of Disney World (just like me!!) and good food (also, just like me!). Where is your favorite place to eat while at the World?

Oh, gosh, now that is a huge question! I adore the French bistro in Epcot. They made some of the best onion soup I've ever had. But then there's the Chinese place in Epcot. Ginger ice cream. That's all I'll say lol I also really love the breakfast at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. My husband and I eat there every time we go to Disney.

Oh, I could talk about Disney food all day long!!

Thanks so much for being here, Sandra!!

Thanks for having me on your blog. As a thank you to your readers, I'm offering a prize to a random commenter. You'll receive a subscription to my monthly newsletter, book swag plus a vial of "fairy dust" and a Tooth Fairy "coin". Remember to leave an email address and check back to see if you won!

If you'd like to find out more about the Holiday Magic series or everything else I write, pop over to my website http://www.sandrasookoo.com From there you can connect with me on Twitter, Facebook or drop in on my Believing is Seeing blog.

It's release day for Soap Dreams!!!!!!!

So so excited!!!!! Today is the official release day for my new novella, Soap Dreams!

It’s never too late to start over.

Robyn Miller is perfectly happy in her immaculate home, playing stay-at-home mom and
devoted wife. That is, until she's channel surfing one day and sees her high school sweetheart
Derek, acting in a lead role in her favorite old soap. Watching Derek's show becomes her secret pleasure...and brings back memories best forgotten. When Derek's mother throws him a big celebration in town, Robyn tries to avoid seeing him, but ends up in his arms for a dance.

Derek has finally hit the big-time, but he hasn't found happiness. He regrets losing Robyn,
and his show's ratings are falling. He longs to get her back in his life--both personally, and as a
writer on the show. Those love scenes she used to dream up were Emmy material. Knowing her marriage is a sham, can he convince her to follow her dreams and give the show--and him--a shot?

This is a great little romantic read! Buy at Lyrical's site, Amazon, or most other ebook sites!

I have my first ever review for Soap Dreams at Brianna's Blog, Girl Seeks Place! Check it out!!

Wednesday starts my first ever blog tour!!!! Check back every day for the tour stop link!

Cover and Book love!

Raquel Byrnes' newest release came out yesterday and this cover is so so sexy!!!!!! You gotta check it out!!!!!


Click here to purchase it on Amazon!!!

BIG! HUGE! MAGNIFICENT!!!!!

Hopefully this is as exciting as the title promises!!!

My new book, Soap Dreams, releases on Monday June 6th!! I am so so excited and have set up a blog tour to celebrate and promote it!

But that's not the only exciting news!!!

Every comment made on every stop of my tour will be entered into a drawing to win a fabulous Grand Prize!! Everyone now....Oooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The randomly drawn winner will receive a signed copy of A Bitch Named Karma! And that's not all!!! They will ALSO receive digital copies of both Paradise Cove and Soap Dreams! Yeah...that's every book I've had published!

I hope you think it's as awesome as I do!!!

PLEASE READ THIS: You must leave your email address in the comment to qualify for the drawing!! I need to be able to contact you if you win. With so many blog posts, there's no way I can just search around and try and find who posted where and on what date!

Some other things...You can enter the drawing more than once by leaving comments on different blog tour stops, but please, only one entry per post. And I will only ship within the US...sorry guys :( If the winner is from outside the US, they will receive a digital copy of A Bitch Named Karma instead of a signed paperback.

Thanks so much!!

A Series...love it or hate it??

There are many many times I read a book and wish it didn't end. I just wanted to keep reading about these characters that I came to love!!

Many authors write books with a series in mind. When I write A Bitch Named Karma, I had no plan other than what I was doing at that exact moment. But after a while, some ideas for a sequel did pop into my head....but I wouldn't allow myself to really give them much though until I found a home for the book. No point wasting time thinking about a sequel if I couldn't even sell the first. And there was no way I was going to write one when I could have used that time to write something else that had the possibility of selling. But after i signed the contract...the ideas swirled again. I took notes and wrote the manuscript last summer int he few months after A Bitch Named Karma's release. Karma Kameleon will release in January 2012!

As far as a 3rd.....who knows. Maybe someday! ;)

But one thing I have issues with in a series is books that are just filler and feel like the author only wrote it to hook you and make you want to buy the next. (I find this often with book #2) I hate feeling like I read an unfinished story just so the author could profit on selling the next book...they have you hooked and wanting more. In my opinion, every book in a series needs to stand alone. Not cool to leave me hanging at the end with no real ending.

One of my favorite series books is The Queen of Babble series by Meg Cabot! SUCH an awesome series. And I can't write a post on series books without mentioning The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Fantastic!!

What is your favorite series??

The importance of support

No one can do anything without a support system. I'm not saying we need someone to baby us and help us with every step, but just someone there to say "Way to go!" when something good happens or "That sucks!" when things don't go as planned. The most important support comes from the people who are around us the most: our families, most importantly, our spouses/significant others.

My husband has been very supportive, but he's not perfect. Sometimes his worries come out. Like the other night. He has a hard time understanding the time it takes to get a career like this going. It's not like most careers where you go to school, study hard, graduate, and POOF.... job of your dreams. It takes years of work with no compensation what so ever, and there is never ever a guarantee. You can take five steps forward, only to be pushed back ten.

But I do it because I love it and I am determined to make a success of myself. Hubby is here cheering me on too.